The news comes at a time when Kenya is set to host the inaugural Giants’ Club Summit that will bring together several African presidents, numerous conservation experts, eminent corporate leaders, high-profile philanthropists, and Hollywood figures to work towards the goal of developing a more cohesive, continent-wide response to the poaching of elephants and the trade in illegal-wildlife trophies.

At least 120 tonnes of ivory – just 17 short of its total stockpiles and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn - the entire stockpile will be torched.

It is expected to put an end to the blithe butchering of our wildlife, requires a concerted, multi-faceted, cross-sectoral and trans-national effort.

The fact that this summit will be the single, biggest summit of its kind in Africa’s history, is an encouraging sign that there is sufficient political goodwill on the continent to enable our collective conservation efforts to succeed.